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The BMW Magazine is the worlds most widely read customer magazine and its transition to an iPad App was widely anticipated. As such, the launch edition had to be perfect.
I was given the commission , by Tomato Studios, to write the score for a feature on the BMW Art Car, designed by Jeff Koons.
After viewing the stills I interpreted the colours and general design Koons had used as being decidedly West African in nature and influence, and so researched various West African drumming patterns. I focused on drums as the BMW sound logo is reminiscent of a Brazilian Repinique drum and therefore the score and the logo could meld.
I chose a Kumina rhythm, indigenous to Jamaica yet derived from ancient Ghanese tradition, as Kumina is less polymorphic than other African rhythms and therefore easier interpreted with fewer drums. Minimalism of structure was necessary as I did not want the music to overpower the image. Furthermore, Kumina is representative of travelling beyond, of re-birth in a new form, which I found to be quite apt for the transition of the BMW magazine from paper to binary and the transition of the car from car to sculpture.
I gave the drums a mechanical, techno sound to emphasise the technological aspects of the feature and the Kumina rhythm countered this with an organic feel.
The film was awarded DCC's (Directors Cut Commercials) Spot of the Week.
